When visiting the Grand Strand, you’re sure to spend lots of time at the beach. Here are the ins and outs that will ensure you and your family have a safe, fun time, while minimally impacting the natural environment around you.

The Rangeley area offers plenty of untamed wilderness to dirty your hiking boots, but what about a more mellow approach? Follow the road to these scenic spots that are right along the pavement. It’s relaxation, simplified.

It’s no secret that going on vacation can increase your impact on the planet- you’re using up more resources than usual through consumption that you wouldn’t normally do. And while you shouldn’t feel guilty for enjoying yourself on your family getaway, there are a few simple things everyone can do to reduce their impact during travel.

There are plenty of ways to see some eye-popping scenery as well as wildlife in Colorado from the comfort and safety of your car. (See our write up on Trail Ridge Road.) Alternatively, you could also spend a week in either Granby or Breckenridge without getting a single scuff of dirt on your shoes, and have an excellent vacation. But for those travelers who want to go a little further, and get a little more off the beaten path, Colorado is one of those states that will certainly reward a little adventurous spirit with majestic vistas and tucked away valleys teeming with flora and fauna. (See our write up on best hikes.) But as with anything, if you don’t take the risk, you won’t get the reward. With these safety tips provided by the United State Forest Service, you can be prepared for any adventure, in any season.

Whether you’re a new or experienced timeshare owner, or you’re looking to purchase your first membership, unbiased information is as good as gold. Fortunately, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) runs vacationbetter.org, the foremost source of information regarding vacation ownership.

Every pet owner knows that soul crushing look they get from their pets when the suitcases start to get loaded into the car at the beginning of a vacation. Your pet knows you’re going away, and is wondering if you’ll ever return.

In the pre-wireless age, smart travel tips would include securing your luggage, locking your car doors, and keeping your wallet in your front pocket. While those tips still hold true, nowadays the same common sense advice needs to be applied to smartphones, laptops and other technology. We sat down with Adam Brannon, chief technology officer at Resort Hospitality Solutions, and asked him what modern travelers should do to protect themselves in the digital era.

Vacation is a time for fun for everyone in the family. Here are a few ways to strike a balance between letting the kids have fun and relax, without everyone spending the entire vacation staring at a screen.

For some travelers, the packing process can take the wind right out of your vacation sails before you even launch. Make packing an enjoyable start to your great adventure with these quick tips for a carefree tropical vacation.

Some of the most fond vacation memories are built around water. Whether it’s learning to swim at the resort’s pool, splashing in the ocean waves for the first time or boating on a river or lake, water activities can be relaxing, invigorating and great learning experiences for everyone. Getting familiar with few safety tips can be key to fully enjoy being in, around or on the water.

Sometimes even the most meticulously planned vacation can go awry, especially when unpredictable weather is a factor. Summer thunderstorms can put a damper on the day for even the most enthusiastic travelers, but there’s no need to let a little rain ruin the whole trip. Here are some ideas for rainy day fun that will get you out and about, or make the most of staying in.

Vacations are a great time to catch up on reading. Whether you’re killing time in an airport or car, or lounging by the pool, lake or ocean, these books will keep you entertained and enthralled on your next RTX vacation.

Hiking is a favorite activity for winter. Clear air, cool temperatures and unobstructed views bring out hikers who are on vacation or just a day trip from home. Fill your pack with these items for an ideal day hike.

Temperatures may be cooling off, but the sun can still affect your skin, especially if you visit a warmer climate. If you take an RTX vacation this winter, or if you’re just spending more time outside, soak up enough Vitamin D without getting scorched using these tips.

Some lighthouses are preserved as historic landmarks and may also have a museum, gift shop or park adjacent to them while some are more rustic and make an interesting addition to vacation photos on the shore. Here are a few lighthouses RTX members can visit using an exchange, getaway or discounted hotel stay in these seaside destinations.

It’s always good to keep a first aid kit handy any time of year, whether you’re on a weekend road trip or a weeklong vacation. The summer months mean more time outside, increased activity and a higher probability of actually needing to use the first aid kit, especially if you have kids. Check out our suggestions for items to stock up on and keep handy to keep your family safe and healthy this summer.

It’s time to dig out those bathing suits and beach towels, and get ready for sun, sand and surf! Summer days on the shore can be some of the best memory making moments, and being prepared with the right gear for your family can help enhance the experience for everyone. Check out some of our favorite items to make your beach trip go without a hitch.

New Orleans is one of the most popular cities in the South, and for good reason. While it has a long history of being known for jazz music and the huge street parties that seem to never stop, there is much more to explore beyond Bourbon Street including world-famous cuisine, a music scene that explores a variety of genres, and fascinating and lively cultures that have deep roots in New Orleans.

As the largest city in New England and one of the oldest cities in the country, Boston has a lot to offer for visitors seeking history, sports, culture, cuisine or a little bit of everything. Trace the trails of history through the American Revolution or visit more modern icons like Fenway Park and the famous Cheers! Bar. Eat or drink your way through the city’s abundant and varied cuisines or take an excursion on the water with a kayak tour or whale watching trip. However you spend your escape in Boston, you’ll be planning your return trip before you even get home.

RTX Getaways are great for last-minute reservations at resorts worldwide. Getaways do not require a deposit or exchange, and Premium Plus members can book last-minute getaways for as low as $49/week. Log in to your account at www.rtx.travel today to see where you can go for $7/night!

Every vacation should have its own soundtrack. The right music can set the mood and get you excited for your trip. Music provides entertainment and escape during the journey whether it’s a long road trip or long layovers in an airport. Music helps make lasting memories that can be relived each time you hear a familiar tune that brings you back to a specific time and place. Here are our top 5 albums for your Spring Break vacation.

At RTX, we stand behind our product. We truly believe that RTX memberships offer some of the best benefits in the industry, at some of the best pricing. One of the reasons we are so confident in our product is that we test it firsthand to be sure that our members really are getting fantastic quality vacations at a great value.

When Sara Little, Director of Communications and Editor of RTX Traveler Magazine, began planning a trip to Southern California to research and write articles about Carlsbad and Palm Springs* as featured destinations in Traveler, she decided to do it all using an RTX Premium Plus membership. Her experience follows.

Staying connected is important for many of us when we travel, whether it’s to keep up with work correspondence, upload your vacation photos each day to document your trip or just to kill time at the airport or in the hotel. Most travelers take steps to keep our cash, credit cards, personal identification and belongings safe, but public Wi-Fi is often taken for granted. Here are some recommendations from the tech guru site Mashable for protecting yourself while using public Wi-Fi:

Some winter days are just meant to be spent inside. Whether it’s because of dreary winter weather, shortened daylight hours or a frigid breeze, there are bound to be times during a winter vacation that the whole family needs to stay indoors. Here are some ideas for indoor winter activities that the whole family can enjoy. Try these on your next winter trip or at home over the holidays.

Whether you escape somewhere warm for your winter retreat or embrace the season with a snow-filled vacation, there are bound to be times that the family will get a small case of cabin fever. A little friendly competition is a sure way to cure it, and some of our favorite family games cost next to nothing. Best of all, they can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home or your vacation resort condo.

We always spend a lot of time planning the actual vacation – how we’ll get there, what we’ll pack, and what to do once we get there – that we may not thing of certain things that need to be done to ensure that our home is secure and prepared for us to be gone. Here’s an easy timeline checklist of must-do items that will ensure your home is at peace while you’re away and undisturbed when you return.

One of our goals at RTX is to ensure that when you are ready to plan your exchange vacation, the process is as simple and smooth as possible. While our Travel Consultants do everything that they can on our end, there are a few things that our members can do to ensure that the exchange process is seamless and successful. These tips should help as you plan your next dream vacation with RTX.

Welcome to RTX Traveler Online!

Thank you for visiting RTX Traveler Online! Here you will find all of the issues of RTX Traveler Magazine, sorted by issue, featured destination and section. This site is also home of the RTX Blog, where you can find the most up to date information about our member specials, featured destinations, Xclusive Weeks and more. To learn more about RTX membership levels or to log in to your account, visit www.RTX.travel.